How Tyre Treads Help Keep You Safe

The tread on your tyres is there for a good reason, but do you know how they actually work? There’s more to the tread than you might imagine.



What is a Tyre Tread?

The tyre tread isn’t just the shapes that you can see on the outer edge of the tyre. It also includes the tyre shape, tread blocks (the raised part of the tread), tread grooves and other things like rain grooves, sipes, and wear bars.

The entire tyre is part of the tread, but the grooves and blocks are specifically designed to help the tyre grip the road better.

How Treads Provide Better Traction

Tyres are made of rubber, which means they are already decent at providing traction on pavement. However, the designs used will make it easier to grip. The different designs made up of grooves and blocks have a specific purpose.

For example, symmetrical patterns are meant to make highway driving easier and smoother. They offer better steering stability and can prevent rolling. Asymmetric treads are best for driving in poor conditions and on slippery roads, as they can improve handling.

When the road is wet, water begins to coat the tyres as you drive. This ends up creating a barrier between the tyres and the road, so you may find it difficult to brake. The grooves in the tyre tread help cut the water and allow it to funnel to the sides so it doesn’t create that barrier. This improves braking and stability.

When to Replace Your Tyres

Over time, the treads will begin to wear down. It’s important to check frequently so you know when the tyre needs to be replaced. Once the tread has worn to the point that there is a coloured line visible, you should replace it. However, you can make the tyres last longer by rotating them every so often. The front tyres usually wear faster, so moving them to the rear and the rear tyres to the front.

With proper care and maintenance, you can use your tyres for some time. They’re certainly a worthy investment.

If you are looking for new tyres, contact the team at Acorn Tyres today for a wide variety of excellent options.